ARJUNA - THE WONDER CARDIO- PROTECTIVE HERB

Ayurveda is a treasure of wonder medicinal herbs. These herbs keep the different organs in the body are energetic and rejuvenate them too.

Most effective use

1. Arjuna is famous cardio-protective herbs. It strengthens the heart muscles and prevents them from wear and tear. It lowers cholesterol too.
2. Good for infertility 
3. Metabolic enhancer too in low doses. 

Part used – Bark powder

How to use –

1. Dip 1-2 tsf of arjuna powder in water overnight. Boil it in morning and then consume.
2. Quite simple, use pinches of arjuna powder in tea and consume daily.
3. Arjun ksheer pak – It is mentioned in ancient texts. Boil the 1part arjuna powder in 4 parts of milk. Also add 16 parts of water. Boil the mixture till it remains ¼ th of the quantity.

Other benefits -

• Helps to reverse of the hardening of arteries.
• Hypolipidemic and enhances the elimination of excess cholesterol from the blood.
• For treating asthma, the arjuna bark powder should be mixed with hot water or with milk and then consumed in the form of a tea.
• Powerful antioxidant and hence it is known to be good for the skin.
• Acts as a cardiac stimulant. Thereby, has a tonic and cooling effect. Thus, arjuna herb is used in reducing the body temperature during fever.
• Well known to protect the DNA from any possible damage from toxins.
• Helps to raise the coronary artery flow thereby protecting the cardiac tissue from any ischemic damage.
• Used in reducing the body temperature during fever. 
• Stimulates the pumping action of the heart and strengthens the heart muscles. 
• Helps to flush out small stones that may have formed within the kidney. So, it reduces the resulting pain.
• Very good anti- ischemic and cardio-tonic. 
• Used for high B.P. (Hypertension) and tachycardia (increased heart rate). 
• Can protect against certain forms of cancer.
• Good for ulcer protection in the stomach. 
• Protects the liver and kidney by anti- oxidative properties.

Kasni - Excellent herb to get rid of Gall stone

All the herbs on this earth are god gifted solution to the diseases. Each plant has specific medicinal value. Kasni has wonderful effects on the liver.

Most effective use - Kasni (Cichorium Intybus) is a liver tonic. It is most effective herb for hepatic disorders (specifically gall stones). Improper metabolism in liver leads to improper bile formation. As a result, gall stone is formed. Kasni target the root cause and improve the metabolism in liver and prevent gall stone. Gradually, it can dissolve the gall stone.

How to use – Soak 3 tsf of kasni powder overnight. Consume this water in morning empty stomach. Before consuming this, you can also consume harar powder in the morning, empty stomach, with water. Cumulative effect of both herbs helps to dissolve gall stone efficiently.

Other benefits -

• In case of women, it helps in PMS (Pre- menstrual syndrome) and maintains the hormonal balance. It lessens the symptoms of PMS too.
• Supports the ability of body to absorb calcium which is really good for bones and joints.
• Effective in the cough of young children 
• Useful in digestive disorder.
• If crushed leaves of the kasni are applied on the inflamed area on the body, it relieves the redness and swelling.
• Also effective in visceral inflammation. 
• Can be used in jaundice 
• Externally, it can be mixed with vinegar and sandal and applied on skin to relieve urticaria and prickly heat.
• Cleanses the urinary tract 
• Improves general health of the body 
• Natural laxative and used in case of chronic constipation.
• The decoction of kasni leaves helps in obstructed menstrual flow.
• Excellent blood purifier and used to stimulate the blood circulation in the body.

How yoga controls high blood pressure ?

Yoga is so much more than just an alternative form of exercise.  Research shows that practicing yoga (including poses or asanas, pranayama and meditation) promotes an alpha brainwave state, which is well known to lower down the blood pressure.  It is a great way of releasing stress at physical level, but mental and emotional level too. Stress and anxiety play a major role for raising the blood pressure.

Yoga benefits high blood pressure through following ways -

• Promotes relaxation of body and mind as well
• Reduces the harmful impacts of stress like tension, shallow breathing and elevated heart rate 
• Strengthens the body and make it flexible
• Helps in shedding extra kilos 

Generally speaking, postures that do not invert the body are beneficial for people with high blood pressure. The restorative yoga asanas are particularly beneficial for reducing stress and lowering blood pressure naturally. You can go for yogic postures which put the spine in a horizontal position and allow the heart to slow down.

Asanas like tadagasana (pond pose), upavista konasana, trikonasana (triangle pose), veerasana (warrior pose) and vajrasana (diamond pose) are good for lowering high blood pressure.
Pranayama like deep breathing, anuloma-viloma (alternate nostril breathing), ujjayi or (psychic breath) and shitali pranayama are good for lowering high blood pressure. It helps in reducing the anxiety, depression and other mental illness. Also, it reduces hyperactive disorders related to mind. All kinds of asana and pranayama should be done with great caution in hypertensive people. Don’t make fast breath as it may lead to harmful effect. Inhale and exhale very slowly. Meditation also contributes to lower high blood pressure as it lowers the tension over mind. It let us feel relaxed.

With the help of yoga, we can surely keep ourselves calm and quiet. 

TREATING HEART DISORDERS VIA AYURVEDA

According to the Ayurveda, the heart is a seat of consciousness. The body with six divisions, sense organs, five sense objects, atma (self) together with qualities and mind along with its objects are located in the heart. It is seat of the excellent ojas and reservoir of consciousness.

Causes of heart disorders 

Improper diet and lifestyle (poor diet, lack of exercise, overweight, excess stress, over-activation of the "fight or flight" response, too much saturated fats in the diet, overeating and smoking) disturbs the metabolism in cardio-vascular system. So, Ama (Toxins like cholesterol and free radicals) are formed which leads to cardiac ailments. As atherosclerosis develops, the coronary arteries narrow and weaken increasing the risk of heart attack.
Moreover, it has been found in latest researches that negative emotions are associated with enhanced rate of heart problems. So, one who wants to protect the heart, should avoid particularly the causes of affliction of the mind.

Signs & Symptoms: 

• Vata symptoms of heart disease are palpitations and arrhythmia.
• Pitta symptoms are angina - a pain often confused with heartburn. 
• Kapha heart diseases involve drowsiness, cough and a heavy sensation in the heart. 

Why Ayurvedic treatment ?

Heart is the main pumping organ which is working every second till we are alive. We should consume herbal supplements to support the heart and restore its functions. Various herbs which can support the healthy function of heart are arjuna, sarpagandha, jatamansi, dalchini and many more.

Benefits of herbs 

• Maintain metabolism in cardiac cells  
• Strengthen heart muscle and check wear and tear by supplying heart friendly phytonutrients extracting from the herbs. 
• Checks the deposition of cholesterol  
• Fastens metabolism in the body tissues, helps to remove the free radicals. (Free radicals are kind of toxins which can cause damage to arterial walls). 

Heart diseases are often worsened under the influence of chronic stress.  Stress is the main culprit as it contributes too many of the risk factors including high cholesterol, high blood pressure and poor eating habits. These herbs also help to combat stress.

Very common but, Miraculous herb - TULSI

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is very common plant found in the every house in INDIA. It is known as “the elixir of life” and promotes longevity. Because of its numerous medicinal benefits, it is worshipped in India as GODDESS. Some of the benefits of this precious plant are mentioned below -

• Tulsi has immune-modulatory (helps to modulate the immune system), anti-tussive (suppresses the cough center, reducing the amount of cough) and expectorant properties (helps expel phlegm from the chest) that make it a great relief for coughs, cold and other respiratory disorders including chronic and acute bronchitis.
• Tulsi possesses germicidal, fungicidal, anti-bacterial and anti-biotic effects to resolve fever of any origin. 
• In case of a fever, boil a few leaves of tulsi with powdered cardamom in half a litre of water. Let it reduce to half its total volume. Mix this decoction with milk and sugar. Sip every 3 to 4 hours. This remedy is especially good for children. 
• Tulsi is great to help one quit smoking as it is known to have very strong anti- stress compounds.
• Tulsi possess cooling effect on the throat just like menthol drops.
• Tulsi significantly helps to relieve headaches caused due to sinusitis, allergies, cold and even migraines. Because tulsi has pain relieving and decongestant properties. 
• Tulsi leaves are nervous tonic and also sharpen our memory.
• Tulsi is one of the important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Even, chewing tulsi leaves relieve cold and flu.
• Phytonutrients and essential oils in tulsi are excellent anti-oxidants which makes it a wonderful tonic to retain youth and avoid aging.
• Tulsi is effective in lowering the cholesterol in the body and controls the excess B.P. 
• It is an excellent mouth freshener and oral disinfectant. It can even prevent oral cancer in the patients chewing tobacco.
• Tulsi also purifies the blood. When applied locally, its juice affects the ringworms and other skin ailments. 
• Tulsi can strengthen the kidneys and quite effective in dealing with kidney stones.

Eat healthy diet, keep cancer away.

Cancer is a disease, rapidly spreading nowadays because of changes in dietary and lifestyle pattern. We have stopped consuming healthy diet. Unhealthy diet leads to formation of toxins in the body which leads to various diseases in future. These are the few dietary tips which can help to make our diet healthy.

1. Foods having carotenoids are good for preventing cancer. Red pepper, pumpkin, carrots and green leafy vegetables like spinach & fenugreek are rich in beta carotene. 
2. Foods having lycopene, an anti-oxidant which help in preventing free radicals are good. Lycopene is abundantly found in tomatoes, water melon, guava, papaya and grapes. 
3. Foods having starchy foods especially potatoes contain loads of beta carotene, which has cancer fighting properties. Boiled potatoes are good for preventing prostrate cancer. 
4. Protein rich foods especially soya milk that contains plant chemical called phytoestrogens which block the damaging affects of the female estrogen in the breast tissue. Too much estrogen can trigger cell division which can lead to breast cancer.
5. Consumption of curd everyday can reduce the risk of breast cancer. 
6. Mushrooms, rich in protein, helps to beat cancer.
7. Broccoli contains cancer fighting compounds known as indoles which help to deactivate and dispose off extra oestrogen. High consumption can decrease the risk of cancer by 40 %. 
8. Cauliflower is rich in sulphoraphane which is a cancer fighting chemical. Moreover, this vegetable is rich in fiber and helps to remove toxins out of body.
9. Foods having omega fatty acids like olive oil is helpful in preventing cancer.  It actually contains more saturated omega fatty acids which is helpful in suppressing the growth of breast cancer. Consume olive oil at least twice a day have 25 % lower risk of breast cancer. 
10. Ginger, it is effective in case ovarian cancer. It should be consumed by women on regular basis. 
11. Lutein, an important anti oxidant which works to reduce the amount of free radicals in the body. It is found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and egg yolk.
12. We should consume protective enzyme rich foods like eating plenty of seasonal fruits like raspberries and other help in reducing risk of cancer.
13. Selenium rich foods like rice and wheat are good to prevent cancer.
14. Vitamin C rich foods like amla, oranges, grapes, strawberries are very good to boost immunity and fight cancer.

What kind of diet we should prefer ?

Oxygen is vital for human beings. The foods that let you hold more oxygen in the body are definitely good.

Low pH reduces oxygen levels in the body. As a result, body tissues get deprived of oxygen. Hence, more acidic your body, the cells are less oxygenated. The tendency of a cell to become cancerous is increased. 

Diet should be alkaline in nature as acidic diet can lead to accumulation of toxins in the body. Lower the acidity of the body and pull out stored wastes into the blood stream so that they can be discharged from the body. We should avoid consuming diets which are acidic and enhance the intake of alkaline diet. 

ACIDIC DIET ( We should avoid)

• Carbonate water
• Club soda 
• Energy drinks 
• Pop corn 
• Pastries
• Pasta 
• Beer 
• Wine 
• Black tea
• Pickles 
• Chocolate 
• Roasted nuts 
• Vinegar 
• Excess sweet 
• Low  calorie nutra sweet 
• Distilled water 
• Coffee
• Sweetened fruit juice 
• White bread 
• Peanuts 
• Nuts 
• Wheat 
• Fruit juices 
• Most grains 
• Eggs 
• Fish 
• Tea 
• Cooked spinach 

ALKALINE DIET ( We should consume)

• Apple 
• Almonds
• Tomatoes 
• Grape fruit 
• Corn 
• Mushrooms
• Olive 
• Soybeans 
• Peaches 
• Bell pepper 
• Pine apple 
• Cherries 
• Radish 
• Apricot 
• Strawberries 
• Banana 
• Avocados 
• Green tea 
• Peas 
• Sweet potatoes 
• Eggs 
• Green beans 
• Blue berries 
• Pear 
• Grapes 
• Kiwi
• Figs 
• Dates 
• Mangoes 
• Papayas 
• Spinach 
• Broccoli 
• Brussel 
• Sprouts 
• Cabbage 
• Cauliflower 
• Carrots 
• Cucumbers 
• Lemon 
• Lime 
• Seaweed 
• Asparagus 
• Onion